On May 25 in Baghdad, 100,000 protestors gathered in Tahrir Squair to demanded the immediate withdrawal of all U.S. forces from Iraq.

The protesters waved flags and chanted “No, no, America. No, no, occupation. Yes, yes, Iraq.” Signs and banners read, “Terror,” “Corruption,” and “No to the Occupation.” Many demonstrators spoke out against the Status of Forces Agreement as part of the U.S. assault on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq.

The May 25 demonstration is part of a wave of anti-occupation protests that have taken place in Baghdad, Mosul, Basra and other cities and towns throughout Iraq beginning in February. At the same time, attacks on U.S. forces are on the rise. According to a May 26 article in the Wall Street Journal, there were 93 armed attacks in February, 128 attacks in March, and 162 attacks in April.

Since February hundreds of activists have been killed and wounded by Iraqi security forces while trying to hold political demonstrations. Iraqi authorities have issued orders banning public protests in cities such as Baghdad and Sulaimaniya province. Dozens of Iraqis have reported being detained without charge and tortured by Iraqi security forces.

Currently, there are 47,000 U.S. troops in Iraq and Pentagon officials are worried about the “potent resistance” in Iraq. On May 24 Pentagon officials announced that some 7,000 additional troops from the U.S. Army’s Third Infantry Division will arrive in Iraq this summer.

The colonial domination of Iraq will only be brought to an end when U.S. imperialism is forced out of Iraq and the inalienable right of the Iraqi people to self-determination and sovereignty is recognized. The American people must further extend and organize our anti-war movement until U.S. imperialism is forced out of Iraq, lock, stock and barrel!